Annual Christmas Parade set for Dec. 12

Schulz, Ortega Grand Marshals

staff reports

Ortega

Schulz

Oklahoma State Senator Mike Schulz and Oklahoma State Representative Charles Ortega will serve as the Grand Marshals for this year’s Altus Christmas Parade “Christmas Night of Lights”. The night time parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12. Sen. Schulz is the Floor Leader of the Oklahoma State Senate, and Rep. Ortega serves as Floor Leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Both men are long time public servants in Southwest Oklahoma and active members of the community. The Altus Chamber said these two outstanding leaders’ commitment to the community and their ability to represent Altus with dignity as the reasons they were selected to represent the community in the parade.

Chamber CEO Brian Bush noted that having the Majority Leader of both the State Senate and State House from the same community is a rare occurrence in our state’s history and is a testament to the character of these men and how they represent us while working with their colleagues in Oklahoma City.

For the second year, the Altus Christmas Parade will be conducted at night, and all of the floats will have lights. The Chamber’s Parade Action Group, chaired by Debbie Davis, is repeating the very successful event they hosted last year. Davis expects a great turnout for this year’s parade and feels it is one of the best ways a business, church, club, or organization can get noticed in the community.

“I am so proud to have these two amazing leaders as our Grand Marshals,” Davis said, “and this 35th annual parade could be our biggest yet. We can’t wait to enjoy this time with local businesses and organizations as they share their messages and celebrate the holidays with us.” Davis encourages anyone who is interested in having a float in the parade to call the Altus Chamber of Commerce at 482-0210 for entry forms and information. Local business and industry underwrite and sponsor the cost of the parade. “There is no charge to enter the parade, and there is no better way to enjoy this time of year in Altus,” said Davis.

Registration forms are being accepted to enter floats into the parade, which will step off from the Western Oklahoma State College parking lot at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. There is no charge to be in the parade, but early registration is a must. This year, the Chamber of Commerce has joined on as a sponsor for the Main Street Altus Candy Cane Cash event, and will be giving away Candy Cane Cash tickets to everyone who turns in a parade registration form. Deadline for registration is Monday, Dec. 7. This year’s parade is again part of the “Home for the Holidays” weekend, offered through a partnership with Main Street Altus and presented by the Altus Association of Realtors. The Main Street Altus Candy Cane Cash “Sweetstakes” drawings will begin at 10 a.m. Dec. 12 on the courthouse square, and the parade takes place at 6 p.m. Beginning at 8 a.m., local talent will take the stage and entertain the crowd as they wait for the drawings to begin. Holiday classics and some fresh, new sounds of the season will be performed by Studio One, the Altus High School choir, Off the Wall Dance Productions, St. John’s Baptist Church Choir, and the Mikayla Jo Band. Food vendors, craft projects, pictures with Santa, and an ice skating rink on the square round out the packed schedule and make it a day that will be fun for the whole family. Don’t miss it!

For the second year, the generous support of the Altus Association of Realtors made it possible to bring in entertainers, and support from the Altus/Southwest Area Economic Development Corporation made it possible to add an ice skating rink to the downtown festivities. “Home for the Holidays weekend would not be possible without the support of these two outstanding organizations. Altus is blessed with hard working, professional realtors who are constantly giving back to the community,” said Bush, “The Altus EDC is working tirelessly to grow our local economy, and their support of these events is just one of the ways they are making life better in Altus.”

In case of inclement weather, cash drawings and concerts will be moved to the City Auditorium. Call the Altus Chamber at 482-0210 for more information.